Windrush Westminster Reception

22nd February 2016

OUWBC alumnae experienced a rare treat on Monday evening courtesy of Claire Perry MP (BB 1984 & 1985 and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport) when they toured the Houses of Parliament prior to joining a Reception in Portcullis House.

Claire accompanied the group on a whistle-stop tour of all the parliamentary sights and even managed to ‘procure’ seats in the public gallery of the Commons Chamber to allow us to observe a debate. Drinks followed in Portcullis House, where there was a chance for crew members to reunite for some reminiscing before Sarah Outen, London-to-London adventurer and erstwhile OUWBC trialist, spoke with passion about her recent journey and the challenges she met and overcame. I suspect that more than one of the audience rather hankered after a similar adventure if only they were brave, young or mad enough!

Carriages at 9pm brought many hugs, accompanied by promises of further reunions and historic photographs and press cuttings to boot. An evening to repeat and remember!

Next stop: Boat Race Day (Easter Sunday March 27th) where we hope that many will join friends and family to cheer this year’s Osiris and Blue Boat on to victory. Alumnae are also invited to the Annual Boat Race Dinner in the evening. It would be lovely to see as many of you as possible taking pride in being alumnae of the OUWBC and initiating this year’s athletes into our great history. Invitations to the dinner have already been circulated and information about access to the Imperial College Boat House on Boat Race day will follow shortly.